Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Christopher Thomson as a partner in its Global Corporate Practice in London. Mr. Thomson joins from the energy practice at Dentons.
Corporate energy partner Trevor Ingle, who is Global Co-Head of Energy & Natural Resources, welcomed Mr. Thomson: “Chris is a highly-skilled and versatile corporate energy and projects lawyer, much of whose work is international. His particular expertise in markets such as Africa and the Middle East, as well as extensive work in Latin America and Eastern Europe, aligns perfectly with the strong cross-border offering of our energy practice.
“Chris’ corporate and projects expertise adds yet further strength and depth both domestically in the UK and internationally. His particular expertise and longstanding track record in oil and gas complements our well established international upstream practice at a time when we are experiencing ever increasing volumes of activity in that sector. His track record in renewables also dovetails perfectly in the context of us assisting oil and gas majors transitioning or diversifying into renewables and carbon capture. Chris’ knowledge of hydrogen projects is also a valuable addition as we seek to build our offering on this front where there is significant market growth potential.”
Mr. Thomson is an English-qualified lawyer specializing in projects and transactions in the energy sector. A graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, he trained at Herbert Smith Freehills and was based in the Middle East from 2007 to 2014. A partner at Dentons since 2018, Mr. Thomson has a practice with a particular focus on emerging markets, notably in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. He advises clients on projects across the energy value chain, from host government agreements, to corporate and asset-based transactions and commercial contracts for project operations and development.
Having trained as an oil and gas specialist Mr. Thomson has developed expertise in advising on renewables, energy transition and low carbon mandate work for energy and power companies. Among his representative transactions are acting for Enbridge on the development of the Rampion Extension project, a 1.2GW offshore wind farm in the UK, alongside RWE Renewables; advising Romgaz on the acquisition of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, which operates the Neptun Deep gas prospect offshore Romania; and advising an oil major on a complex hydrogen joint venture.
Mr. Thomson is the fifth partner appointment in London in the past 18 months with Africa energy and projects experience, joining corporate partner Fergus Gallagher, private equity partner Julian Thatcher, capital markets partner Jayson Marks and dispute resolution partner Timi Balogun.